WASHINGTON - A Nebraska meat processor is recalling nearly 11,000 pounds of pepperoni that may be adulterated with a microorganism that can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced that Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp., doing business as Margherita Meats, Inc., is recalling ready-to-eat pepperoni products that may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus

B. cereus is a toxin-producing microorganism that poses a more severe risk to those with compromised immune systems. Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care including antibiotics are the usual treatment.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions from those who ate the products, according to the USDA.

FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ pantries or refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

The unsliced pepperoni was produced and packaged on June 17, 2021. 

The following products are subject to recall:

• 8-oz. plastic shrink-wrapped packages containing unsliced pepperoni “Margherita PEPPERONI” with lot code P1931C and a “use by date” of 12-14-21 represented on the label.
• The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 19” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered when the Department of Defense notified FSIS that they found B. cereus during routine product testing.

Consumers should call the Margherita Consumer Affairs Hotline at (844) 342-2596.